Welcome to my music blog - The Soundtrack of My Life!

Many of you have asked me “What’s with all the music, Dr. Weiss?” Well, as I’ve told some of you:

I personally call every surgery patient on the evening of surgery just to make sure they are doing well and have no questions that need answering. Occasionally, I would be at the piano and play a song that we had listened to that day. I gradually realized that I wanted to go through all the music that I had played during my life and at least start making a list of the songs that I had recently played.

Well, there are now about 600 songs on the list and I realized that it in a way it represented the ‘soundtrack of my life’! And that’s how I got the idea to record these songs and share them with my patients, friends and family. After I record them they will reside here, for easy access.

Music is truth. It’s honest. It’s really the first social media, where in a way, people could share their souls directly. And isn’t that what the purpose of social media is and why it’s so popular - trying to share who you really are, as completely and directly as possible?

Finally, it has been (and will continue to be) a genuine pleasure sharing these different songs with you and I really appreciate all of your positive feedback!!

Categories


Sinatra singing

That’s Life

December 12, 2022

That’s Life In Memory of Frank Sinatra Frank Sinatra was born on this day (December 12) in 1915. I guess I gotta actually sing this one! My father took my brother and me and some friends to see Sinatra at Resorts International Casino, the first casino that opened in Atlantic City, at one of the first shows, if not the first. I’m from Philadelphia, and we spent our summers in Atlantic City, so my father had some good connections. We had a table literally adjacent to the stage and carte blanche! It was all very exciting, and I’ll never forget the look of satisfaction on my Dad’s face because he was able to take us all out in such a manner! And in the casino itself, it was like there was electricity in the air. Here’s to a great singer and bon vivant!  Happy Birthday, Frank! Enjoy Dr. Weiss Related Posts: The Things We Did Last Summer – my attempt at a ‘trumpet’ solo (I love this song!) (Or enter https://youtu.be/gHWa2CjyZFg in your browser, if you don’t like clicking on hyperlinks) All The Way – dedicated to my dear friend Pat D, who danced with Sinatra at her wedding! ( or enter https://youtu.be/Nyh4bOAXJEg in […]

This old heart of mine anguished handsome black man showing this old heart of mine been broke a thousand times cartoon like van gogh pastel no text at all in image

This Old Heart of Mine

August 14, 2022

My (mini) Tribute to Lamont Dozier ‘Broken Hearted’ by Dall-E with Rick Weiss prompt: anguished handsome black man showing this old heart of mine been broke a thousand times cartoon like van gogh pastel no text at all in image This Old Heart of Mine (click to watch) Lamont Dozier passed away earlier this week. He sure made a lot of people happy as a member of Holland-Dozier-Holland, the songwriting and production team responsible for much of the Motown sound including songs like “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch”, “Stop in the Name of Love”, “Heat Wave”, “You Keep Me Hangin On” and “How Sweet It Is to be Loved by You” [Interesting fact: “How Sweet It Is” was inspired by one of the actor and comedian Jackie Gleason’s signature phrases, “How Sweet It Is!”] “This Old Heart of Mine” is one of my favorites. I mean, how can’t you like a love song with lyrics like “you got me never knowin’ if I’m comin’ or goin” and “but if you leave me a hundred times, a hundred times I’ll take you back.” Thanks, Lamont. Enjoy, Dr. Weiss Watch the Video!

Mothers day 2021

Mother’s Day Singalong Medley

May 9, 2021

  Mother’s Day Singalong Medley! (click here)  Many of you read that I was recently in Philadelphia (actually, Jenkintown) for a while taking care of my mom. I’m happy to say that she is now doing well. While I was there, I picked up a random music book of the ‘World’s Greatest Songs’ arranged for easy piano in my mom’s piano bench that I must have left for her years ago. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the songs and especially of the deceptively sophisticated arrangements (edited and arranged by Roger Edison and available on Amazon.) We had so much fun together learning and singing some of these songs, I thought that I would share them with you – to share with your moms on Mother’s Day (for 15 minutes of fun!) Who can’t use a little pandemic stress relief? So, if you are so inclined, click on the above photo, project it up on the big screen if you can,  and join us in Mom’s living room for a lively old fashioned karaoke sing-a-long!  There’s something for everyone!  (For the really dedicated, or for brain exercise, or just for fun –  try singing these songs once a night until you have the lyrics […]

mq2

I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry

March 2, 2020

Hank Williams recorded this classic song in 1949. Elvis Presley thought that it was  probably the saddest song he’d ever heard. Bob Dylan wrote: “I didn't have to experience anything that Hank did to know what he was singing about. I'd never heard a robin weep, but could imagine it and it made me sad." Songwriter Harlan Howard coined the phrase “Three chords and the truth” to describe the necessary ingredients for country and western music, alluding to the familiar simplicity of country music and the paramount importance of the truth of the story.  Hank Williams wrote this song with only three chords (I-IV-V) but my arrangement was inspired by Leon Russell’s recording which subtlely reharmonizes the song with some extra chords.  Because of the importance of the lyrics, I’ve decided to sing this one - a rarity because I do not consider myself much of a vocalist. And be sure to listen for the lonely whippoorwill chirping at the end! I’d like to dedicate this performance to Michael and Fred, my friends in Nashville.  Thanks again to Michael for taking me to the church of country music, the Ryman Auditorium for the first time.  Thanks to Fred for requesting [...]
Slipping into Christmas Rick

Slipping Into Christmas

December 24, 2017

Slipping Into Christmas Hi guys, Here’s something a little different!  I was feeling a little under the gun by committing to my Christmas song countdown, so I put this song together quickly last night. It’s an old Leon Russell tune called ‘Slipping into Christmas’ from 1972.  For some reason it has haunted me for years! Two firsts: 1- Dr. Weiss singing (I was told once never to sing in public!). 2- my first attempt at lip-syncing (almost all music videos are lip synced!). Anyway, both done on the first take (c’mon, I’m a professional surgeon, not a professional musician!) But it’s alright – it’s just between us: my family, friends and family of patients, and it’s just what I would play for you if you were in my living room. Definitely not looking for a record deal. So. please enjoy today’s somewhat obscure Christmas song. Dr. Weiss